Protect Our Rivers

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About Us

Jessie Thomas-Blate

Associate Director of River Protection and Restoration

conservation

Area of Focus

Jessie works with staff across the country on a variety of river restoration and protection work— from advocacy and outreach to coordination with local communities to restore and protect their rivers and streams. Since 2010, Jessie has also been managing our Most Endangered Rivers Program.

Background

Jessie joined American Rivers in 2010. Prior to that she worked for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission as their Habitat Coordinator. There she played a fundamental role in the establishment of the Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership. Jessie also did an internship at the Natural Resources Defense Council where she focused on the reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act.

Education

B.S. in Biology from Mary Washington College, and M.S. in Natural Resources from Delaware State University

Blog Posts By This Author

Today’s guest blog about the #4 Little Plover River- a part of our America’s Most Endangered Rivers® series- is from Sean Gifford who grew up along the river and is a member of Friends of the Little Plover River. Take Action to Protect theL… Read more »

Today’s guest blog about the “Special Mention” Merced River- a part of our America’s Most Endangered Rivers® series- is from Tim Palmer, an award-winning environmental author, photographer, and speaker. Tim wrote the related boo… Read more »

Today’s guest blog about the “Special Mention” Merced River- a part of our America’s Most Endangered Rivers® series- is from Dr. Michael Martin and Dr. Ralph Mendershausen. Dr. Michael Martin, a resident of Mariposa County, is a… Read more »

Today’s guest blog about the #9 Kootenai River- a part of our America’s Most Endangered Rivers® series- is from Beckie Clarke, owner and operator of Fernie Fly Fishing, in Fernie, British Columbia, Canada. Beckie talks about the impacts to… Read more »

Today’s guest blog about the #10 Niobrara River- a part of our America’s Most Endangered Rivers® series- is from Mel Hansen, a local long-term resident of Knox County, Nebraska. Take Action to Protect theNiobrara River Tell the Army Corps t… Read more »

Today’s guest blog about the #8 Rough & Ready and Baldface Creeks- a part of our America’s Most Endangered Rivers® series- is from Zachary Collier, owner of the Northwest Rafting Company in Hood River, Oregon. Zachary is an avid paddler wo… Read more »

Today’s guest blog about the #8 Rough & Ready and Baldface Creeks- a part of our America’s Most Endangered Rivers® series- is from Barbara Ullian, a dedicated local resident, member of Friends of the Kalmiopsis, and manager of roughandready… Read more »

Today’s guest blog about the #7 Black Warrior River- a part of our America’s Most Endangered Rivers® series- is from Nelson Brooke, the Black Warrior Riverkeeper. The Black Warrior Riverkeeper is a citizen-based nonprofit organization dedi… Read more »

It is our understanding that Duke Energy issued a preemptive statement on April 16, 2013 in anticipation of American Rivers’ designation of the Catawba River as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers®. Rick Gaskins, Executive Director and… Read more »

Today’s guest blog about the #6 Boundary Waters- a part of our America’s Most Endangered Rivers® series- is from Paul Schurke, owner of Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge in Ely, Minnesota. Take Action to Protect theBoundary Waters Urge President Ob… Read more »